Hong Kong, 24th January: Hong Kong-listed Pico Far East announced its annual results, for the year ended 31st October 2017. The company reported total revenues of US$510 million, down by 4% year-on-year. The company attributed the decline to the end of two non-recurring mega projects in the previous year. The company’s net profit fell 6.3% during the year, down to US$36 million. Diluted earnings per share for the year were HK$0.2286 (US$0.029).

Nanjing, 4th January: International exhibition organiser, Messe Stuttgart’s Chinese subsidiary in Nanjing, the Nanjing Stuttgart Joint Exhibition (Messe Nanjing) appointed Hans Stoter as its new managing director, effective 1st January 2018.

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London, 17th January: Earlier this week, London-listed UBM plc and Informa plc, announced that they were engaged in serious acquisition discussions. Within 24 hours, it was announced that Informa would acquire UBM in a US$5.2 billion deal. The deal is still pending approval from the two boards and relevant regulators. Together, the two companies will become the world’s largest exhibition organiser with a global market share of approximately 6%.

Hong Kong, 12th January: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) concluded its first events of the year last week, attracting some 126,000 buyers to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), a figure which represents a growth of 6% over last year.

Shanghai, 15th January: Positioned as Asia’s largest trade fair serving the automotive parts, accessories and service industries, Automechanika Shanghai 2017, received a record number of visitors. The exhibition attracted nearly 131,000 professional buyers from 142 countries and regions, a 9% increase over the previous edition.

Hong Kong/Hokkaido, 16th January: Earlier this week, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hokkaido Government in northern Japan agreeing to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and to work together to help Hong Kong and Hokkaido-based enterprises to promote their products globally.

Japan, December: International exhibition organiser, Messe Düsseldorf, announced plans to cooperate with FOODEX’s organiser, Japan Management Association, to introduce the ProWein & Champagne Lounge at the upcoming edition of FOODEX.

Shanghai/Berlin, December: ITB China, a B2B annual travel trade show in China, has announced plans to partner with China Tourism Academy (CTA) in order to develop business and raise global awareness of opportunities in the Chinese tourism sector.

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India, 8th December: Earlier this month, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India, the Indian subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, announced plans to acquire Fitex India from Haryana-based trade fair company, Smart Events. Financial details for the acquisition were not disclosed.

Cologne, 13th December: International exhibition organiser, Koelnmesse GmbH, has appointed Keith Tsui to be Managing Director of the subsidiary Koelnmesse Ltd. in Hong Kong and the head of its Chinese subsidiary, effective 1st January 2018.

Shanghai, 12th December: The Smart Energy China (SEC) 2017 concluded last month, attracting some 3,000 industry professionals to the show which was held at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) from 7th to 9th November.

Bangkok, 8th December: Last week, Pico Thailand, the Thai-listed subsidiary of Pico Far East Holdings, announced its full year financial results for the year ended 31st October 2017. The company reported total revenues of US$41 million, which is a decrease of 2.2% year-on-year. The decrease was attributed to the relatively poor performance of its event marketing business.

Hong Kong, 7th December: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) opened the first edition of DesignInspire on 7th December 2017 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). It ran until 9th December and it was open to the public. More than 220 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions showcased over 620 design objects and products in various thematic zones at the show. The “Partner Country” was Italy with the theme, “Italy Makes A Difference”.

India, 13th December: India will have a new trade fair serving the plastics industry, IndiaPlast, in association with Plastasia, in 2019.

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Asia, 5th December: dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa, an international event company, has announced its acquisition of Atticus Events, a boutique business forum organiser as well as HI Design, a series of hotel interior design events. The financial details of the deals were not disclosed.

Australia, 7th December: Global Links Exhibitions & Conferences, an international exhibition organiser, has acquired the Cake Bake & Sweets Show, in order to enter the Australia market. No financial details of the acquisition were disclosed.

Shanghai, 1st December: VNU Exhibitions Asia and the Shanghai Northern EASTPO Exhibition Company signed a cooperation agreement on 17th November. Under the terms of the agreement, EASTPO’s flagship exhibition, the Shanghai International Machine Tool Exhibition, will be operated and managed by VNU Exhibitions Asia beginning in 2018. Launched in 1999, the exhibition serves the machine tool, robotics and automation industries. The exhibition addresses the sizable Chinese market as well as attracting a large international audience of exhibitors and visitors.